The Journal of a Sporting Nomad 
but they are killed principally for the fat, or, as 
the Norwegians call it, “‘ spec,”’ with which the 
carcass is literally covered, the value of one of 
these whales being about £2. 
I soon became rather tired of the inactivity of 
the base camp, so took advantage of a passage 
in a small tug-boat that was returning to Danes 
Ghat, where I knew that Andrée and his balloon 
were established. I did not think at one time 
during that trip that our small steamer could 
possibly weather the huge seas we encountered 
soon after starting, and we had to take refuge 
for a few hours under the lee of an island to 
permit the weather to moderate somewhat before 
resuming our voyage. At length we arrived at 
our destination, which is situated on the 80° 
latitude. Here I found the whole place in a 
great bustle. The huge shed in which the balloon, 
when inflated, was to be housed was almost 
finished, and the apparatus for making the hydro- 
gen gas which was to be used for inflating the 
balloon was also in course of construction. I had 
luckily brought with me my green Willesden tent, 
the local accommodation being completely taken 
up. Close to the balloon shed was a substantial 
wooden house. This belonged to a friend of 
mine, Arnold Pike, who had two or three 
years previously elected to winter here. It 
was quite comfortably provided with sleeping- 
bunks, and consisted of two rooms. I could not 
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